Diogenes

by Mark David Usher, Michael Chesworth (Illustrator)

Most dogs in this world are content with their doggy lives, playing dead and burying bones, but Diogenes was a dog of a different sort – he wanted to become his own master. So he buried his collar and leash, left his cozy doghouse, and ran off to the great city of Athens, Greece. There he took upon himself the role of “watchdog” to those around him, warning of life’s moral pitfalls and showing by his own surprising example the path to an enlightened way of being. Rounding out this colorful picture book biography about a revolutionary thinker, a two-page author’s note about Diogenes elucidates the connection between the book’s doggy hero and the historical figure, who became a pauper in order to live like a king.

Genres: Picture Books, Childrens, Historical Fiction

32 pages, Hardcover

First published May 26, 2009

Reviews

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I'm not sure where you would use this book, I did like it a lot. It is not easy to explain Greek philosophy to anyone, let alone at a level a kid could read. It was pretty funny, but kind of inspirational.

[Drianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVE this book! Diogenes the Cynic, re-imagined as a *real* dog. Adorable! And a good overview of some of Diogenes' actual beliefs, although it doesn't quite get across the annoyance the Athenians felt toward him.

[Elizabeth S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kinda a clever idea. Make the historical Greek philosopher into a dog and write a book about it. Fun twist.

[Lilly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice look into greek mythology

[Kate Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how the book was based a true story. Diogenes wasn’t actually a dog, he was a man who’s ultimate goal in life was to achieve self- sufficiency. He believed in being your own master and also having the freedom of speech. This book would be a great read for children because having the main character as a dog will get their attention more rather if the book just talked about historical facts.

[Devynn Turner · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was very funny and cute book! It also has a great moral to the story: being the master of your own life and future. Could be very inspirational book for younger children and a great intro to the history of Greek mythology.

[Sydney Huntington-Strohm · Rating 2 out of 5]

This dog wanted his own life so he decided to make his life his own. So he threw off his collar and became a watchdog. It helps in showing the path he should want to be on. The lesson is to be happy with the type of life you have don't fully look for change.

[Keann Moncrieffe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this book was charming, and I loved how a dog decided to be alone. Usually, you would assume it would be the cat telling a story like this, haha, but I liked how it was different than the typical dog stories I tended to read when I was younger.

[Annie Jewell]

I thought this story was really sweet. I liked that they turned a non-fiction story to fiction by making the main character a dog.

[Lindsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting book about a dog becoming his own master. It incorporates Greek mythology to provide it with history. Pictures and facial expressions on the people are remarkable.

[Isabella VanZandt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cute story about being your true self. The main character is a dog who does not want to be controlled by other people and be his own person. The illustrations are very nice in this book

[Farleyi]

Great tie to history in the end and wonderful message for all

[Julia Reny · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book very cute of the dog named Diogenes- who wanted and did become his own master. This book was informational about Greece and had some great life lessons apparent!!

[Madi C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a story about a dog. The dog takes on a persona of a greek god Diogenes. He wants to be his own master and he learns how to do things on his own.

[Hailey Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute book and pictures, I like how they used a real story about a Greek philosopher and turned it into a children's book with a dog.

[Olivia McCorrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good book with funny illustrations on each page. I think this is a good way to incorporate a little history into a read-aloud or free read for a younger classroom.

[Sarah W · Rating 2 out of 5]

pageintraining Sarah W.
I am a little concerned how to handle the picture in the afterword in an elementary setting #picturebookparty #diogenes

The dog standing on a Greek column is a lot of the reason why I selected this book. I love things that tie in history. Unlike the other dogs around him, Diogenes wanted to be his own master. The observant dog notices a mouse that doesn't seem to worry about anything. He wishes he was such a creature.

Diogenes ran off ot the city with only his dish and his walking stick. On the way he passes a sign that points the way to all sorts of different places. Somehow I don't think he found a sign that actually said Hades like this one (or that was in English).

Trying to live simply, Diogenes adopted all sorts of tricks to get him used to the experience. He starts to create quite a stir where he lives with his behavior. When he encounters Alexander the Great, all Diogenes asks for is for the man to get out of his sunlight. Not even a trip to the pound can get this furry guy down.

At the back of the book, there is a description of who Diogenes really was. He was the founder of the Cynic school of philosophy. Cynic means dog-like in ancient Greek.

I am a little concerned how to handle the picture in the afterword in an elementary setting.

[Janice Durante · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dogs have their doggy ways, but Diogenes insists on being his own master. One day he leaves his collar and his cozy home behind and hits the road with just a dog dish and a walking stick. Of the many humorous illustrations by Michael Chesworth, the page showing the dog's Thoreau-like escape from civilization is my favorite. Diogenes looks wide-eyed and eager for adventure as he approaches a pole with signs for Sparta, Corinth, Argos, Athens, Thebes and Hades. It doesn't matter that most children have never heard of the Greek philosopher Diogenes. The message that materialism is a burden is both timely and timeless. The humor will appeal to all ages, as will the lively watercolor illustrations. This picture book by Usher, a classics professor, offers teachers and librarians great opportunities for discussing the conflicts between freedom and responsibility, conformity vs. individuality, and intrinsic treasures vs. consumerism.

[University of Chicago Magazine]

Mark David Usher, AM’94, PhD’97
Author

From our pages (July–Aug/09): "In this illustrated book for grade schoolers, Diogenes is a dog who wants to become his own master. After running away from his cozy doghouse to Athens, Greece, he takes on the role of watchdog to those around him, showing the path to an enlightened way of being. Usher, a classics professor at the University of Vermont, also includes a two-page author’s note about the real philosopher, who often praised the virtue of dogs."

[Jillian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book about my favourite Greek philosopher - it makes the school of Cynicism easy to understand and approachable.....but I can't figure out how on earth I'd use this book. Your average second grader isn't exactly going to be hungering for books on philosophy, after all!
But it's at least a good intro to a cool set of ideas, and the illustrations are adorable!

[Brittany Perry · Rating 3 out of 5]

The concept that bumming is okay really cut the stars off this book for me. While it was enjoyable, the lack of good values and common sense in this book is sad and deplorable. The only redeeming quality of this book is the illustrations and dog that capture young minds.

[Melissa W · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite book to read to my son, he absolutely adores this dog. I quite enjoy it myself, too.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this book, but it was completely lost on my six-year-old son. Unfortunately, the usual audience for picture books is the six-year-old kid and not the I'm-not-telling-you-my-age mother.